Easy Weeknight Meat Sauce

There are some dinners I come back to again and again—and this hearty meat sauce is one of them. It’s simple enough for a Tuesday night but cozy and rich enough to make the whole house smell like it’s been simmering for hours.

This version uses basic pantry staples and a few fresh veggies like carrot and celery for sweetness and depth. Whether you use ground beef or bison, it’s flexible, forgiving, and always delicious. And if you really want to level it up? Drop a parmesan rind in while it simmers. It’s a little homemaker trick that adds rich, savory flavor without extra effort.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 pound ground beef or ground bison

• 1 all onion, finely chopped

• 2 - 4 medium carrots, peeled and grated or diced

• 3 stalks celery, finely chopped

• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 jar (24 oz) your favorite marinara sauce

• Salt + pepper to taste

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano

• Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

• Optional: 1 parmesan rind, to simmer in the sauce

• If you are looking for an elevated twist, add a cup of wine after the veggies saute. Let it reduce then add your marinara.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened, add seasonings.

2. Add garlic and meat: Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef or bison, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking it up as you go.

3. Add marinara: Pour in your favorite marinara sauce. Nestle in a parmesan rind if you have one—it makes a huge difference!

4. Simmer: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer it sits, the better it gets.

5. Serve: Spoon over pasta, layer into lasagna, or serve with roasted spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles for a lighter option. Don’t forget a little extra parmesan on top!

❄️ Make It Ahead or Freeze It

This sauce is ideal for meal prep—it freezes beautifully and reheats like a dream. I often make a double batch and stash half away for a future busy week.

✨ Final Thoughts

This is the kind of recipe I love sharing: easy, cozy, and totally adaptable. It’s made from real ingredients, comes together in under an hour, and makes your kitchen smell like home. Whether you’re feeding your family or stocking your freezer, this meat sauce is a true homemaking hero.

Let me know if you try it—and don’t forget to tag me so I can see your pasta night spread!

— Lauren

@weeknight_homemaker